Elm Park
Elm Park is just one of the many green spaces that dapple the Hyde Park neighborhood,
but it is probably one of the least well-known. This tiny park is located
on Woodlawn between 53rd and 52nd, directly behind Kimbark Plaza. Not only
are there plenty of great benches for reading, but this park also features
some sweet and simple landscaping and a large open gazebo. It's a great place
to take a break from all of your hurrying and just relax. — Sophie Day

Below
are links to Elm PAC. Read there what Friends of the Parks said about Elm advocacy.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elm-Park-Advisory-Council/156172511071512New items there: Elm council
and garden committee get 2nd grant from Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee (2011)
for $250, Program C report, meeting with Ald. Burns being set up. And lots more.
Certificate from the Garden Fair was presented at the April 28 2011 meeting.

The following overview
was written by (and revised July 2011 based on more information) Gary Ossewaarde

Elm
Playlot, Located
at 5215 S. Woodlawn, north of Kimbark Plaza/53rd on Woodlawn, Elm Park was part
of a trio developed during urban renewal in the late 1950s early '60s, but unlike
Nichols and Spruce there was no public planning input. It is small, like (but
not) an afterthought from the planned Kimbark Plaza, and has no logical exit
from the rear except an all-too-jumpable short fence, which has a few parking
spaces, delivery areas for the stores, and housing. Its design also was poor,
including bench arrangement and hiding spots that encouraged drinking, gangs,
dope dealing. The HPKCC Parks Committee at the time (1962-64) was heavily involved
in and negotiating design of Nichols and Spruce parks, and found it nice or
politic to let the Park District design Elm Park. Elm
Council (and HPKCC archives in UC Library Special Collections) have pictures
of a team of at least three, including Barbara Fiske who was heavily involved
with HPKCC's Parks Committee, holding a plan-model of the design of the park,
and the Elm Council has a large copy of the plan, given c late 2010 from the
Park District. negate the widely-agreed perception that mistakes were made in
the planning-- and that the problems were made worse by problems of the condition
and store deliveries in the alley to the east and frankly by at least periodic
neglect by neighbors, organizations, et al.

Past Elm President Piotr
Gorniki on Elm's Facebook page contests the idea that Elm's design is poor,
and that it is proper to consider a transfer to private businesses:

The notion that Elm Park
was badly designed is a serious misconception. It has a very sophisticated
design, exceptionally well executed. Elm Park was meant as a complement and
balance to the space created for local vendors and businesses. Both, the Park
and the Plaza, have had their share of problems, but as the history teaches
us, in the long run the well implemented idea worked to a great benefit of
all local residents. Today, the Park is in the middle of a densely populated
successful residential neighborhood. We need open public space. We need shops
and restaurants too. Allowing annexation of a City park to improve bottom
line or, as the business leader claims, alleviate their business shortcomings
and fears is bad public policy. This idea should not have even been entertained.
There must be a better way.
Piotr Gornicki, Elm PAC President.

And many
like the "gazeboesque" feature in the back and like the bench arrangement
for group reading (if benches not conducive to laying down are used). In response
to complaints, in the late '90s Alderman Preckwinkle, the Plaza, park district,
community organizations and others explored various options, including a swap
to the plaza for parking in exchange for new parkland from the city elsewhere
in the 4th ward while increasing landscaping in the shopping plaza's lot in
front. Meanwhile, plans to remodel the park (plans of the park district and
others developed by an architect for a small charrette) were aborted in the
midst of these discussions. No resolution was reached and problems have continued.
In mid 2004, it appeared CVS pharmacy, soon to be builtat
the east end of the plaza, would like to use or acquire part of Elm for parking
but nothing happened.

Neighbors by mid 2010 formed a new advisory council and come up with imaginative
reconfigurations and activities, held informational clinics on bikes and safety,
planted a great deal (partly with grants from such as the Hyde Park Garden Fair
Committee), and a neighborhood watch.However
word was given that loss of the park for a parking lot was again on the table,
now apparently removed. Enthusiastic planning continued nonetheless,
including with a nice video. On the dispute, see Elm
Park Threatened page.

Next
meeting for Elm Park Council- last Tuesday 6 pm. Usually
fourth or last Tuesday. At Nichols Park fieldhouse, 1355 E. 53rd St. Timika
Hoffman-Zoller, zollerfamily@gmail.com.4th Tuesday,
6 pm, but expected not meet in the summer (check back on this).
Elm Park Advisory Council meets at Nichols Fieldhouse, 1355 E. 53rd St. June
27- check.

Elm thanks
SECC for a grant for its garden, installed in 2015.

Gardening -

________________

July 19 2011 Elm
representatives met with Alderman Burns and presented with powerpoint the history,
amenities, workdays, community-building programs, needs and plan for the park
and asked for his support in going forward in creating an even stronger and
useful Elm Park. While nothing was decided on the future, in response to concerns
that nothing would go forward until the future was decided, Burns said he would
make sure with the PD that they were not holding anything up because of him.
Meanwhile,
Piotr was encouraged to place his presentation on the council's facebook page.

The Elm Park Executive
Summary:

Sionce its inception
in June 2010, Elm PAC consulted with many local residents and representatives
of community organizations, local businesses, Chicago Park District, Friends
of the Parks, University Police and Chicago Plice to addresss community concerns
and needs, and establish common vision for elm Park.

Based on ths input, in
partnership with the local branch of the Park Distict, the police and Hyde
Park volunteers, Elm PAC initited a series of activities aiming at improving
security and attractiveness of the Park.

Development of a comprehensive
plan of imporvements and repairs was undertaken last Fall by the Chicago Park
District.

The key objective of
this meeting is to present community assessment of what needs to be doneat
Elm Padrk in terms of capital improvements.

Elm Park Advisory Council
will ask the Alderman for a long-term support for Elm Park, including financial
support for teh proposed 3-year restoration project, and for suport for the
Elm PAC in its community activities and fund raising efforts.

Letter of support
from the Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee september 6 2011

Dear Alderman Burns,

The Hyde Park Garden
Fair, a fifty one year old neighborhood institution dedicated to the beautification
of public spaces and the encouragement of gardening within the neighborhood,
supports the restoration plans for Elm Park.

We have been very impressed
with the dedication of the Advisory Council to saving this green and quiet
spot. The Garden Fair Committee has given grants for the purchase of perennial
plants at our spring sales in 2010 and 2011 with a total value of $450.00.
In addition we have contributed left-over bulbs from our fall sales. Our intention
is to continue this support.

Joni Mitchell said it
so well: "They paved over Paradise and put up a parking' lot with
a pink hotel and a great new swinging hot spot ". Don't let that happen!

Meanwhile,
many bulbs and flowers were planted (donated in part by the Hyde Park Garden
Fair Committee of HPKCC) and the park district finished many fix it and upgrade
projects in the park. Members continue to monitor, plan for activities next
spring, and engage in long term planning.

_____

A fabulous fundraising
party was put on by Elm Park at the Quadrangle Club's lounge October 15 2010
including jazz by Peter Lerner and Bob Hodge. A
real cross section of supporters and the community was presence. The Club
did a great job for us.

At the July 31
2010 picnic, several choices and assignments were made and former blueprints
showed the evolution of the park's original design as well as a photo of 1963-64
HPKCC Parks Committee chair Barbara Fiske examining a 3-D model of the park's
design.

The
July 13 meeting covered a wide range of matters
from a picnic-- held July 31st and bike safety clinic (being
explored for August 21) to administrative and included

Safety Committee Report
(this was detailed and included lots of ideas)
Elm Park Storytelling Program- various leads were explored to have one or
more sessions this summer.
Bike Safety Clinic
Elm Park Repairs & Clean-Up (this was detailed and included lots of ideas,
concerns, and suggestions on whom to contact and on requesting from Nichols
Supervisor Heather Kelly. Some research needs doing on why various lights
are going out, where the water connection is, et al. Bushes trimming has been
scheduled by the Park District. )
Kimbark Parking Lot Issue
Prepare Elm PAC Budget Proposal. Major items include fence and gate, gazebo
update, and benches
Park Walk-Through was carried out after the meeting
Plan First Elm PAC Picnic

See these sites also
for discussion or mention of Elm Playlot:
http://1537news.com
http://www.hpherald.com/pg9.html
http://hydepark.org/parks/elm.htm
http://hydeparkprogress.blogspot.com/2010/06/advisory-group-forms-to-clean-up-elm.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/The-Quadrangle-Club-at-the-University-of-Chicago/201105261164
http://hydeparkchicago.blogspot.com/

Planning
continued at the July 27 meeting and the July 31 fun picnic.The
council now has large and reduced-size original plans for the parks that serve
as templates. Topics in active planning include events, floral and shrub plantings
or movements, a labyrinth, and much more.

Elm Park Advisory Council
is up and running. It is lead by founder and newly elected president Timika
Hoffman-Zoller, who with her family has lived in the vicinity several years.
She had noticed that people were not actively using the park, although derelicts
had, though not as much now. it is small park overshadowed by Kimbark Plaza,
Zoller noted, has no rear exit, no play equipment, and is near the shopping
center deliveries-- so there are hiding spots that can encourage gang and drug
activity.

Nevertheless, she said,
the park can be taken care of and utilized by the community. She went to park
supervisors and sought other advice on organization. She was surprised, however,
to learn of plans to turn the park over to the shopping center for employee
parking, with a distant park substituting for the lost open space. Such expansion
plans for the center have been on the books for many years. Meanwhile the park
was not being improved. It was speculated that the city/park district have have
trouble finding both a square foot matching plot for a new park and funds.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hoffman-Zoller
feels and was told that fixing up and cleaning up the park, even if only for
interim, would not be a waste of time. She started with a neighborhood watch
meeting with police, then held the inaugural meeting of the council. In planning
are reading activities for children , bi-weekly positive presence activities,
and cleanup-- the latter would include programs, a gate, trash cans, signs for
curbing of dogs, grass trimming and broke glass removal.

Neighbors
spruce up Elm Park

Hyde Park Herald, August
11, 2010. By Daschell M. Phillips

In one month's time Hyde
Park residents have succeeded in organizing an Elm Park Advisory Council. Now
the council is seeking funding from the park district to make renovations and
institute programs.

As Timika Hoffman-Zoller
approached the Chicago Park District board's annual budget hearing with a list
of needs for Elm Park, 5215 S. Woodlawn Ave., she was greeted with a round of
applause. In about one month, Hoffman-Zoller gathered community members adn
formed a council to improve the state of a park in her neighborhood that was
overrun with alcoholics and drug dealers.

The Elm PAC, which is lead
by Hoffman-Zoller, president, Piotr Gornicki, vice president an Joanne Michalski,
secretary and Danielle Rose, treasurer, currently has 13 members who regularly
spend time in the park individually and gather together as a council in the
park for picnics to encourage more positive community use of the park.

Hoffman-Zoller said the
council's presence has caused the park district to increase its maintenance
of the park. "Nearby neighbors said there's no longer garbage and broken
glass all over the park and graffiti was removed from the Elm Park sign,"
Hoffman-Zoller said. She said neighbors noticed that before the council was
formed the park's lights weren't turned on until 10 p.m. Now they are turned
on at dusk.

At the Elm PAC's first
picnic, University of Chicago graduate Sandra Ham, who [was then] the chairwoman
of the park's gardening and landscaping committee, presented some historical
facts about the park such as why the park has several circular designs, the
fact that there used to be a fountain in the park that could be fixed and reused
if the council decides that's best and that there was once a sandbox in the
park, as well as why it was named Elm Park but never had elm trees.

"The city was using
names of trees and plants as a generic way to name city parks then later on
started naming them afte people," said Ham, who also discovered by looking
through the Hyde Park Herald newspaper archives that Hyde Park had problems
with drinking, drugs an loitering in Elm Park since the 1970s. Despite the park's
long history of being a trouble spot for the neighborhood, Hoffman-Zoller is
confident that with funding from the Chicago Park District the park can be revived
and put to good use in the community.

"The main thing we
want is a wrought-iron fence that is high and goes all the way around the park,
new park bench arrangements, more lighting, a stage for storytelling and flowers,
plants and shrubbery," Hoffman-Zoller said. She said thee park would also
benefit from funding to support park programs such as storytelling programs
for kids and poetry slams. "Partnerships with the Chicago Storytellers
Guild and Little Black Pearl and Design Center are already being formed, but
they must be paid," Hoffman-Zoller said.